What Is a Network Patch Cable?

The most common definition of a network patch cable is an eight-wire cable that consists of four pairs of twisted wires terminated with RJ45 connectors at either end. There is also a fiber patch cable that uses fiber optic material with fiber optic connectors at either end. Both of these patch cable types are used to connect two network devices together, for the purpose of passing data between them. Typically, network patch cables fall under the Cat5 or Cat5e cable standards, with the newer Cat6 standard (not yet formally defined) now being manufactured and sold for the higher-speed Gigabit networks.

Applications

Network patch cables are thought of as an Ethernet cable, and the term "Ethernet patch cable" is often substituted. While these cables are routinely used to connect Ethernet devices, they also are used in many different telecommunications applications. ATMs are one of the more commonly used high-speed technologies that employ network patch cables.

Categories

The most common types of network patch cables in today's marketplace are Cat5 and Cat5e. The major difference between the two is the length that the cable can be reliably manufactured to, and the reduction of far-end crosstalk.
In the last several years a Cat6 category has emerged, even though a ratified standard has not yet been announced at the time of this article's writing. Cat6 is rated for 550 meters, while Cat6e is rated for 1,000 meters, but this is vendor-specified, as opposed to a universally accepted standard.

Shielded versus Unshielded

In most cases, network patch cables will be provided as a UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) unless otherwise specified. This shielding, when included, helps to cut down on outside EMI (Electro-Magnetic Interference) which can impact data throughput.

Stranded versus Solid

Network patch cables can be ordered as either stranded (each of the eight internal wires being made up of several smaller gauge wires) or solid (one solid wire being the core of each of the eight individual wires that make up the twisted pairs).
The advantages of stranded cables is that they are more flexible, which is critical for cabling that will require bending, like that which happens when cabling is pulled through walls and ceilings. While stranded cable serves a purpose, it has a reduced distance rating.
Solid cabling provides for longer distances but is less likely to tolerate a lot of severe handling during installation.

Cross-over Cables

Cross-over cables are a variation on the pinouts used when making a network patch cable. In this specialty configuration, pins 1 and 2 as well as 3 and 6 are crossed internally. This type of cable is primarily used to connect two PCs together, or for what is known as cascading hubs (or switches), and it has been largely made obsolete by the newer devices that can sense what kind of connection is needed and adjust accordingly.